There are a number of cosy cities along the Costa Del Sol which are big enough to explore during an extended holiday (if you can drag yourself away from the beach) but also small enough to enjoy in a weekend.
View over Malaga from Castle Gibalfaro
The atmosphere around Malaga is relaxed and the city is a perfect size to wander around on foot, even on a hot day. The squares in the inner city have lovely bars and coffee shops around the perimeter – like so much of continental Europe – and the newer part of the city is chock-a-block with designer boutiques and department stores.
Plaque marking Picasso's birthplace...
One of the squares has a plaque marking the birthplace of Pablo Picasso at his former home; with great bathos, it is now next to an Irish bar. I didn’t have time to visit the Picasso museum in the city but it is centrally-located and very popular.
...and what has become of that birthplace
The old part of the city is filled with gorgeous baroque architecture, and as with much of Catholic Spain a great deal of money has been spent on elaborate churches and cathedrals.
There are often levies to enter these buildings but, being both Catholic and a student, I rather objected to this so I affected to enter the Cathedral shortly before a service, had a wander about, then made a loud comment (in English, even though I speak some Spanish) about having left the cat out and the gas on and walked out.
Malaga Cathedral
The Plaza del Toros
Amphitheatre
